Saurabh Patel to focus on capacity addition
There is a need to rebuild capacity of power generation in state-owned plants. I am planning to increase the Plant Load Factor by the modernisation of machinery, says Patel
Power surplus state Gujarat is reeling under the pressure of increasing electricity demand and decreasing power generation capacity in different plants owned by the government. The situation has risen since last one-and-a-half years, in which the state government is more dependent on the private plants for the purchase of power, in place of state-owned units. Amidst this, the energy minister in the new government, Saurabh Patel is aiming to rebuild the capacity of state-owned plants.
According to Patel, "There is a need to rebuild capacity of power generation in state-owned plants. I am planning to increase the Plant Load Factor by the modernisation of machinery. This cannot happen over the night and that can take time. I will focus on this issue and will look into it that how this can be achieved."
The situation, in the nextcoming five years, Gujarat can face acute power shortage if the situation continues to prevail.
"Our government is equally concerned for the rural sector and thus, I have decided that the 'On Demand Connections' will be made available in rural areas for domestic, commercial and agriculture purpose," Patel added.